Givenchy and Converse’s Collaboration Makes Luxury Court-Appropriate

Givenchy and Converse’s Collaboration Makes Luxury Court-Appropriate

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Published April 14, 2011

Converse has grown leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings a century ago, when the company got its start creating a simple—but timeless—basketball shoe. With the iconic Chuck Taylor to its name, Converse has since branched out of its canvas shell and is no stranger to collaborations. With recent partners that include John Varvatos and Missoni, it’s no surprise the label would join forces to create a limited-edition shoe with designer Riccardo Tisci. Tisci has always kept busy; when not overseeing the creative direction for French couture house, Givenchy, he spends his time designing album covers, curating blogs, and most recently creating buzz when many (us included) speculated he would be chosen to take over as Creative Director at Dior, after John Galliano was relieved of the position.

The Givenchy take on the Chuck Taylor for the “Converse Addict” series is a high-gloss, black-on-black creation. It includes the signature Givenchy leopard print that first hit the runway last year, and true to Tisci’s dark aesthetic, is not without studs (which line the heel seam of the shoe), and crosses (sewn on the tongues, with GIVENCHY prominently printed across them). American and European admirers will probably have to scour Ebay to obtain a pair—the collection is only available for a limited time in stores in Japan, from April 27.